Ciscaldi puts Lija on top

Tarxien Rainbows 0
Lija Athletic 1

Silvan Ciscaldi was the Lija Athletic protagonist yesterday as his second-half goal downed Tarxien Rainbows and sent his team top of Division One.

Lija lead the standings on 27 points one clear of St Patrick and two above Naxxar Lions. Both St Patrick and Naxxar could leapfrog the new leaders today when they face Mqabba and Mosta respectively.

It was a hard-fought win for Lija who, after a disappointing first half, raised their game after the break. Inspired by Gordon Camenzuli in midfield, Lija showed better fare as Ciscaldi finally found the breakthrough which kept Lija firmly in the promotion hunt.

The Rainbows were let down by their poor finishing. In the end, they paid dearly for that as they are still dogged by relegation worries.

The strong wind that blew at Corradino yesterday hampered the two teams' plans so much so that very few scoring chances were created.

On 28th minutes, Tarxien goalkeeper Maurizio Valastro's clearance almost surprised his counterpart at the other end of the field as the ball, aided by the wind, flew towards the Lija goal. Simon Agius was quick to react though and tipped over the bar.

From the flag-kick, taken by George Cutajar, Brian Testaferrata's header was just wide of the target.

On the restart, Lija came more into the picture and on 48 minutes a Paul Camilleri shot was blocked by Valastro. Two minutes later, Aaron Guazzo dribbled his way into the Lija area but his effort was turned to a corner.

On 61 minutes Lija almost broke the deadlock but Camenzuli's angled shot rattled the upright. Lija should have taken the lead on 72 minutes when Camilleri nodded the ball towards Cosaitis who shot tamely into Valastro's hands from close in.

Tarxien had an open chance a minute later. Okoro rounded off Agius but shot incredibly out in front of an empty net.

Lija broke the stalemate nine minutes from time. Ciscaldi picked the ball just outside the area and unleashed a powerful drive that finished behind Valastro.

The Rainbows almost equalised soon after but Chris Borg's low volley was palmed away by Agius as Lija managed to hold on to their slender lead to earn a precious win.

Tarxien: M. Valastro, G. Cutajar (D. O'Flaherty), M. Farrugia, E. Saliba, S. Shead (C. Borg), A. Guazzo, J. Agius, A. Bonello (D. Baldacchino), E. Farrugia, M. Okoro, B. Testaferrata.

Lija: S. Agius, D. Okeke, S. Ciscaldi, G. Lanzon, R. Mifsud (J.P. Scerri), D. Scerri (E. Azzopardi), G. Camenzuli, G. Barry, R. Grech (A. Ellul), P. Camilleri, D. Cosaitis.

Referee: Lorry Sammut.

Senglea Athletic 1
Marsa 2

Marsa made a significant step towards maintaining their status when coming from a goal down to beat Senglea by the odd goal in three.

It was a deserved win for Ilir Pelinku's team who recovered from a slow start which saw them conceding an early goal. Gradually, they took control and after Ibrahim Tarek put them level they lay attack on the Senglea goal but found goalkeeper Elvin Attard in fine form.

Their persistency was finally rewarded two minutes from time when Casha's strike gave them a precious win that lifted them to sixth in the standings on 20 points.

After a bright start, Senglea, without the suspended Lawrence Attard, Darren Grech and Timothy Thomas, fell back to Marsa's comeback and in the end they wilted under their opponents' pressure.

Senglea had a fine start, taking the lead after just 12 minutes. Alan Spiteri nodded the ball towards Trevor Thomas who slid home past the onrushing Jason Cordina.

Marsa replied with a Tarek shot that was fisted away by Attard but nine minutes from the break Marsa's persistence was rewarded with a Tarek equaliser.

Then, Gilbert Martin almost put Marsa ahead but his header flew over. On the stroke of half-time Casha combined well with Martin but his shot was saved by Attard.

Minutes into the second half, Tarek was put through by Martin but his shot was repelled by Attard. Tarek's fine volley was again stopped by the Senglea goalie on 66 minutes.

Caruana almost put Senglea ahead on 70 minutes with a long range shot that finished over and ten minutes from time, Marsa were denied by Tyrone Ghirxi who blocked Darren Vella's header on the line.

However, Marsa's bold efforts bore fruit in the 88th minute. Rio Micallef's shot hit the bar but Casha was first on the rebound to net the winner to the joy of the Marsa clan.

Senglea: E. Attard, C. Caruana, T. Thomas, E. Bobolayefa, A. Bonnici (L. Attard), A. Spiteri, T. Ghirxi, A. Imbroll, S. Aquilina, L. McKay, F. Dingli.

Marsa: J. Cordina, N. Zarb Cousin (J. Casha), J. Buttigieg, D. Vella, R. Bonnici, L. Grima, M. Corbolan (R. Micallef), G. Martin (J.P. Zammit), D. Gatt, I. Tarek, S. Eboh.

Referee: Mark Spiteri.